Desperately trying to have my Mirena Coil removed

[AColdDuncanGoodhew]

My Mirena has expired, I'm on the GP waiting list to have it removed but that's now been paused again due to Covid, the family planning clinics have no appointments for the foreseeable and are also cancelling clinics and if I want to go private I need to have a GP referral.

So as it stands i'm on the phone to the GP to ask if they'll refer. The private hospital only does the removal if it's for medical reasons, because my strings can't be felt or seen directly and I'm having abdo/pelvic/back pain they said they'll definitely see me.

Cross your fingers all that the GP is able to refer. I'm two minutes short of finding forceps and a miner's helmet!

@Weloveyotodaily

One of my friends removed her own and another somehow managed to suction it out with her moon cup (apparently it’s easier during your period as your cervix is a little open anyway) although it’s not recommended and you should definitely get someone qualified to do it! I believe it’s reasonably common in America where you need to pay to have it removed in some cases and there are Facebook groups with directions so I’m told….

Ooh I can well imagine it's common in America, I read a load last night about the costs and how some doctors are reluctant to remove or point blank refuse until the five years have passed.

My sexual health clinic put mine in and attempted removal with my second ones. My first went in and came out fine.
Worth a check

@FinishWhatWeStarted

Please don't pull. I went to have mine out and it was embedded. I had to see a specialist to get it removed. Can you definitely still feel the strings?

I'm almost 100% sure I can feel the strings. It was during my smear the nurse said she couldn't see them, got the GP in who also couldn't see them but I've since checked (five times...) And if it's not the strings I'm feeling I've no idea what else it could be. I can feel two distinct plastic threads that I've been able to feel for the last five years as I've been checking regularly.

Totally stumped me.

i am supposed to be having mine removed today (but have covid symptoms so have cancelled) - so in our area they are still doing these procedures...
It annoys me so much that access to services is so dependent on where you live and how well run your gp surgery is...
I want another one putting in even though its a 5 yearly drama (funny shaped womb/cervix so fully expecting when I do go for my appointment - they'll attempt it, fail and refer me to a specialist clinic!)

My husband is an ODP and I’m afraid when the GP wouldn’t entertain taking mine out last year he asked a colleague/friend to do it. Bit naughty but 30 seconds in a side room off the ward and it was out!

Honestly I'm so desperate I'm considering asking the first person I see at work!

Yup, think mine was 15 months overdue by the time I finally managed to get seen to have it replaced.

15 months is so so long

OP whereabouts are you and why do you think you need a GP referral? I had mine removed at a private clinic in Harley street, I didn’t need a GP referral.

@Covidclaire

OP whereabouts are you and why do you think you need a GP referral? I had mine removed at a private clinic in Harley street, I didn’t need a GP referral.

I'm in Scotland and the only private hospital that will do it ask for a GP referral as they only remove/insert for medical reasons and not purely as a method of contraception. They said as soon as their admin team receive my referral and it's accepted as medically required they'll call me to arrange a date.

I'll have another Google and see if there are other clinics near me that would do it without GP referral. The NHS sexual health clinic said they have no appointments for the foreseeable but I can call every day after 9am for a cancellation slot as they don't keep a cancellation list.

Its proving really difficult to get sorted. Wonder if I could do a day trip to London

@coatofmanycolors

Alternatively get the wires snagged in a tampon and yank it out yourself.

Please note I am joking - I speak from experience when I say this is not a nice experience 😵

Good luck, OP!

I did this!! My cervix just clamped closed at the memory.

I was lucky to have a GP who agreed to take mine out while I was there for another reason. My legs were open anyway so it didn’t take much for her to pull it out for me

If only they'd been able to find mine during my smear this would all be over

I've found one more private clinic about an hour from me who do removal with the next available appointment in three weeks, will call them now for information.

I'm in Scotland and had one fitted a few weeks ago at a sexual health clinic. They assured me that if I wasn't getting along well with it I could self refer for an appointment to take it out and would only be waiting 3-4 weeks for an appointment.

The GP that referred me also said they could take it out in the practice if required.

I had read on MN before about difficulties getting it taken out so sought assurances before I got it put in! Thankfully so far, so good 🤞

Hope you can get it sorted soon OP.

I had a Mirena as I approached menopause and I was told it didn't need to come out when it expired. Eventually it was removed after about 20 years - came out very easily. 2 years later I got another at age 64 as it is part of my HRT!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and sorry to others going through it too.

I've spoken with the other clinic I found and have booked in for the first available appt which is in a few weeks, they're also adding me to the cancellations list for the dates I've said im also available.

Counting down the days now.

Glad you managed to sort something OP, and fingers crossed for a cancellation sooner!

Good luck OP. It's really awful that women have to wait so long, and jump through so many hoops, to get something removed they don't want.

I was offered one about ten years ago, I am very glad I said no.

Glad you got something sorted OP.

I was going to say you could DIY. All they do is pull it out via the strings nothing fancy. The two arms fold like an umbrella and it just comes out.

Wow - shocked at this thread. Given how keen they are for us to have them but then you can’t get the buggers removed even when expired.

Think I have 2 odd years left on mine so maybe if I book in now….!

Pensieve definitely get on the waiting list now 😁

I agree with PPs, it's shocking that it's taking all these phone calls with various departments and clinics to get this sorted. I know it's non-urgent, I absolutely get that in the grand scheme of things it's very minor, but I still want the fecker out!

I did try a wee DIY but couldn't get a grip on the strings or it would absolutely having been coming out tonight.

Hoping I can get a cancellation but if not at least I know by the end of the month it's gone.

Not very helpful, but I delivered my own Mirena.

Had been in less than a year. And when in the loo I felt the need to push, and out came the full Mirena! GP was utterly gobsmacked.

If you find the strings, big cough as you pull, pops it right out.

Mine was 18 months overdue, as the GP paused the clinic.

They did restart but it was impossible to get booked in. I googled sexual health clinics & was seen in 5 weeks. They gave me a pregnancy test too. The GP never told me to take additional precautions.

In & out in 10 mins, including the test!

I had mine out and a new one put in three weeks ago with a weeks notice though the sexual health clinic. Try them maybe?